A Gift For Mother's Day That Will Give Her Peace Of Mind... -- NEW YORK, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

A Gift For Mother's Day That Will Give Her Peace Of Mind All Year Long: Create A Disaster Preparedness Plan For Mom!
The I.I.I. Recommends a Four-Part Preparedness Check-Up

NEW YORK, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Flowers wither and chocolate disappears in a flash, but a well thought out disaster plan is a gift that provides peace of mind all year long, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)

"Nothing says 'I love you' more than helping your mom be prepared in case of a disaster," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, the I.I.I.'s senior vice president and chief communications officer. "It may sound corny, but peace of mind is a wonderful gift that children and even grandchildren can give to help the special women in their lives."

The I.I.I. has resources, including free mobile apps, to help your mother prepare to survive a disaster both physically and financially. Here are four key steps:

Create a Home InventoryAn inventory is a list of all of your mother's personal possessions with their estimated value. In the event of a disaster, having an up-to-date home inventory will help get her insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for her income tax return and help her purchase the correct amount of insurance. The I.I.I. has step-by-step information on how to create a home inventory. Or use the free Know Your Stuff® - Home Inventory app and software. Just take photos of your mother's belongings and fill in a few key details—her data will automatically sync with free cloud storage, for secure access whenever she wants. The whole family can help with this project by taking photos, scanning receipts, counting items and inputting information.

Review Insurance Coverage Offer to review your mother's insurance policies to make sure she has the right type and amount of coverage for her needs. She should have enough insurance to rebuild her home and replace her belongings should disaster strike—this includes considering both flood and earthquake insurance, which are excluded from standard policies. If your mom is a renter, encourage her to purchase renters insurance to cover her belongings.

Take the time to talk to your mother about these key disaster preparedness steps and offer to help her with all four or simply the actions she needs most. There is no better way to celebrate Mother's Day than making sure she is properly prepared.